MANILA – Iloilo United Royals has added championship experience to their roster after signing up former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles cagers Jason Credo and RV Berjay.
The two cagers formalized their move to the Iloilo City-based ballclub after signing their deals in the presence of team CEO JJ Javelosa and Ilonggo-native head coach MC Abolucion.
According to Javelosa, the addition of Credo and Berjay along with his other two previous rookie recruits in Crispin John “CJ” Cansino and Mark Nonoy will give the United Royals the championship poise that he wants from his team.
The United Royals just reached the Southern Division quarterfinals during the 2023 MPBL season after they lost to the Bacoor City Strikers in three matches.
“Every season nga nag intra ang Iloilo (sa MPBL), sulod kita sa quarterfinals. Amon plano nga mas layo ang abtan sang aton team sa coming MPBL season,” Javelosa said.
“Mga players gin recruit namon sa team, like si Jason, RV, CJ and Mark. kabalo mag-champion kag ano feeling sang champion since they have already won it in the UAAP,” he added.
Credo, who recently concluded his UAAP eligibility with the Blue Eagles, was part of the Tab Baldwin-mentored Ateneo’s championship squads during UAAP Season 82 in 2019 and UAAP Season 85 in 2022.
Berjay also got two championship finishes with the Blue Eagles during UAAP Seasons 81 and 82. He has already played in the MPBL for Marikina City Shoemasters last season.
Cansino, for his part, was part of University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons that won UAAP Season 84 title in early 2022, while Nonoy was a member of De La Salle University Green Archers squad that cop UAAP Season 86 crown last year.
Also returning for the United Royals from last year’s squad are Conrad Catapusan, Omar Larupay, Aaron Jeruta, Shaquille Imperial, and JR Ongteco./PN
